25 Random Things About Me

I was tagged on Facebook to write 25 random things about myself, so I thought I'd put the list on my blog for those of you who aren't cool enough to be on Facebook.

1. I am the youngest of 4 kids and loved growing up as the baby.
2. I love strawberry jam on garlic toast
3. I’ve never sent a text message.
4. The summer before I got married, I went backpacking through Europe with my best friend.  We stayed in hostels and everything.
5. My favorite place in Europe was Salzburg, Austria.
6. I don’t drive a stick shift car- I can, but I’m terrified of it.
7. My husband and I met at BYU where we had 7 classes together one semester.
8. My least favorite chores are scrubbing the bathtub and laundry.
9. I love to do indoor spinning and go about twice a week.
10. I really don’t like to run, but I ran a half marathon a few years ago to say that I did it.
11. I once broke my arm skiing on Christmas Eve.
12. I love cold cereal and could live off of it.
13. Most people would be surprised by the music on my iPod.  Here’s a sample of what I have: Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Carie Underwood, Leona Lewis and Dvorak.  (I really only use my iPod when I’m working out)
14. I love talk radio even though I hated when my Dad played it growing up.
15. I love to read books that are true stories such as “A Boy Named It” and “The Glass Castle”
16. I don’t like to drink anything thick- smoothies, chocolate milk, etc.
17. I took 5 years of German in middle/high school.
18. My Dad nicknamed me “Hambone” growing up (still not sure why…)
19. My brother Zach is the only one who still calls me “Bone” (and he’s taught his 2 year old to do it too)
20. I once won a contest writing an essay titled “What a Police Officer Means to Me”  I got to ride in the police car at the beginning of a parade. (My only time in a police car…)
21. I taught Junior High Orchestra for 3 years.
22. I don’t have a middle name.
23. I love Italian food.
24. Even though I grew up in Virginia, none of my family lives there anymore (they’re all in Utah)
25. I don't like doughnuts

I feel Pretty...Oh so Pretty

After a grueling morning at the salon, Bethany is ready for the day.

Sack Lunch Day

Kyle is so excited to take his lunch to preschool today.  It's all he can talk about.  In a couple years, he'll probably gripe about having to take his lunch to school every day, but for now, he thinks it's great.

Chinese "Take-In"

Tonight, I decided to try a new recipe (in keeping with my New Year's Resolution).  I went in search of a beef and green bean recipe because this is one of my favorite foods when we get Chinese.  I must give credit to Jermie because he actually did the cooking.  He had to improvise on a couple ingredients that we didn't have (we used apple juice instead of Chinese rice wine for example).  It turned out really tasty and actually pretty healthy.  Here's the link to the recipe

Why I ate cookie dough for lunch.

Okay- Let me preface this by saying that I very rarely make cookies because I LOVE cookie dough.  It is too big a temptation for me, so I just usually stay away from it all together.  But, today I was taking dinner to a friend and decided to make some cookies for dessert.  Things were going great- I'd gotten a batch in the oven and hadn't eaten a speck of cookie dough.  Then this happened:

 While I was pulling one of the sheets of cookies out of the oven, I fumbled and the whole pan went down.  It's kind of hard to see in the picture, but the gooey mess is not only on the floor but also all over the oven (which of course is still on).  So, I turned the oven off to get it cool enough to wipe out, then cleaned up the mess on the floor.  It was at this point I decided that I was going to eat cookie dough for lunch.  Let me tell you, it tasted good- Until about 20 minutes later (and as I write this) when I felt like a bloated pig!  (PS I didn't eat the cookies off the floor- My floor is definitely not clean enough!)  I think I'll go eat some carrots...

Bethany's 6 months Stats

I took Bethany in for her 6 month visit today (a couple weeks late). Here are her stats:

Weight: 13 lb 15 oz (10th percentile)
Height: 28 inches (85th percentile)
Head: I don't remember, but it was 45th percentile. 
(They didn't give me the sheet with the numbers this time)

She is such a joy to have in our family and I'm so grateful for her cheerful little spirit!

Here's a picture of her trying her first "biter biscuit"

Kyle Golfing

After many frustrating attempts with the Wii, Kyle finally found something he could do. (PS- I'm not sure why he's not wearing pants. Maybe an aspiration to be an underwear model?)

Christmas Morning

Tide Pools

While we were in L.A. we went out to the beach and walked around the tide pools when the tide was out.  It was SO cool- It was basically like going to Sea World, except it was free.   The boys loved seeing all the sea creatures and Bethany loved being in the salty sea air!  Jermie scared me to death jumping from slippery rocks with Bethany in his arms, but it all turned out fine. (And yes, I know I look like I should be walking the streets of Mexico, but it was cold and I forgot to bring a sweatshirt.)

Jermie holding an urchin

There were tons of starfish.  They were all different colors and there were some that were twice as big as this one.  You can also see all the mussels on the ground.

While we were there, someone caught a lobster.
Bethany and Grandma Arnold